Mitt, kin to talk in Utah

BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be in Utah for the holidays, making plans for his campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination in two phases early next month, a top adviser told The Associated Press on Friday.

The Massachusetts chief executive is expected to file paperwork as early as Jan. 2 with the Federal Election Commission, establishing a presidential campaign committee and permitting himself to begin raising money for his race on the first business day of the new year. Romney will leave office on Jan. 4.

As soon as the week of Jan. 8, Romney will hold a ceremony to officially declare his candidacy, said the adviser, a top aide who spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of the official filing.

The timing is somewhat dependent on when Sen. John McCain of Arizona makes an expected announcement about his own campaign for the GOP nomination, the Romney aide said. McCain has formed a presidential exploratory committee but held off declaring his candidacy.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has also formed an exploratory committee.

Before leaving for a 10-day ski vacation at his home at Utah's Deer Valley Resort, Romney told reporters he would use the holiday gathering with his family to make a decision about a campaign. In total, 22 people will gather at the Romney vacation home outside Salt Lake City, including his five sons, their wives, his 10 grandchildren and Romney's wife, Ann.

"I've got a lot of data. Now I have to sit down with my family and spend some time," the 59-year-old former venture capitalist said after ringing a Salvation Army bell at a downtown shopping mall. Romney gained international attention in 2002 as head of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

"The real question is could I be able to make a real contribution to the people of this country, could I make America's future brighter, and that's something which I'll give consideration to over the holiday," the governor said.

While saying that he wanted to consult with his family, Romney dismissed any thought he might be dissuaded from a campaign because of any personal concerns they might express. In the past, Romney has said the only thing that would prompt an immediate end to his political career would be a change in the health of his wife, who has multiple sclerosis.